Transmission



Feb. 9.192s. 1,572,510

J. B.-THOMA5 TRANSMISSION Filed Feb. 18, 1924 s Sheets-Sheet 1 I N VEN TOR.

I] am B5B- Thoma BY A AT NEY.

Feb. 9 1926.

J. B. TH

-TRANSMISSION Filed Feb. 18 1924 3 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR.

' Arrokggy Patented Feb. 9, 1926.

JAMES B. mourns, or nnams'rown, MISSOURI.

' TRANSMISSION.

Application filed February 18; 1924. Serial No. 693,515.

To all whom it may concern: 1 i

' Be it known that I, JAMES B. THO AS, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Blairstown, in "the county of Henry and State of'Missouri, have invented a new and 'useful Transmission, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to transmissions, hich' and particularly to transmissions in fluid, such as oil, is used as an elemen imparting the drive shaft. A primary. object of this invention" is the power of the motor to the provision of a transmission which .is made up in units adapted to be bolted together and to contain the various. parts necessary in carrying'out this invention. I

Another object of this invention is the provision of novel wheels, ,formed integrally with the drive and driven shafts which carry sliddably mounted lugs for engaging the fluid use to provide a means within the transmission and driven by the drive shaft for maintaining a'constant and predetermined pressure behind said slidably mounted lugs.

An evenfurther object of the invention is the provision of a rotar valve positioned beneath the lug carrying wheels for s'electively imparting forward or reverse 'motion to the driven shaft. With these general objects in view, as well as minor objects which will appear in f the course of the detailed description, the invention will now be described with reference to. the accompanying drawings, in' which: i Figure 1 is a perspective .view of the assembled transmission showing the 'oper; ating means therefor. Fig. 2 is a plan view of the same with the top of the reservoir broken away to reveal parts contained therein.

Fig. 3' is a perspective view of the transmission with the reservoir entirely removed. Fig. 4 is a vertical central section of the assembled transmission taken along" line IV IV of Fig. 5.

on line VV ofFig'. 4.

-Fig.* 6 is another cross section of thetransmission taken on line VIVI of Fig.

- Fig. 5 is a cross section of the sametaken,

4 and showing the lug. depressing frame in an operating position.

Flg. 7 is still another section of the device taken on line VIIVI I of Fig. 4'.

Fig. 8 is a similar section taken through the driven wheel on line VIIIVIII of Fig. 4t.

Fig.- 9 is a fragmentary .detail section of the ball valve taken on line X-X of Fig. 5.

Fig. 10 is a perspective viewofthe'controlling valve showing the manner in which parts are cutaway to direct the flowof fluid, and;

Figfllis adetail view of one end of the valve; showing the two passages whichregiswith valvepassage when the valve is, in a forward and reverse position.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference; characters refer to like parts throughout the several views,

I a a and wherein 13 designates a drive/shaft A still further object of this invention is" operated from an internal combustion en-- gine' or other 'source of power notjhere shown. A wheel 14 formed integrally with shaft 13 is provided with/la plurality of radially extending slots 15 adapted to slidably support lugs 16, while passages 17 connect slots 15 with holldw portion 18 of shaft 13 to permit ofthe behind lugs 16.

This wheel 14 is housed within a bl6ck 19 having acavity 20 therein, the walls of which form a cam surface 21' overwhich the' outer edges of lugs 16 slide as ,wheel.

14 is turned.

A port 22 forming 'a passage between cavity 20 and a suitable reservoior 23, preferably placed above 1 the housing, permits 'wheel26 rests, also has a cavity 32-hav1'ng shaft 27. It, likewise, is provided with radially extending slots 28 and passages 29 which connect slots 28 with hollowportion 30 of shaft 27. Housing 31 within which an inner surface forming. cams 33 over which the outer edges of lugs 34 slide when the underlying valve 35 is in the forward or' reverse positions. 1

An 1nte mediate housing 36 forms a charm close the opening,44'.

through. a very pressure above .lugs escapes through this opening her 37 which always contains fluid supplied inner end of shaft 13, and forced down in its.

action by cam 40 formed on said shaft. A coilsprlng 41 beneath pump. 39 forces it up, and is only strong enough to hold the pressure required behind the lugs, which is greater than the pressure found elsewhere, equal to the strength of said spring; WVhen the motor is started, the pump '39 develops enough pressure behind the lugs to hold them out against the inner surface 33 of the wheel housings. When the maximum pressure is reached, spring 41 fails to hit pump 39, andoit' does not operate untiL the pressure diminishes. An air cushion is formed inthe. upper part of cavity 42, and tends to equalize the-pressure behmdlugs 34 and 16.

,When the pressure on the fluid between wheels 14 and26 decreases (as when coasting down ahil'l) the pressure behind lugs is decreased through allowing fluid to drain out small hole 43,; The fluid then forces pump 39 down behind until spring .41 is again able to lift pump 39 and This action equallaes the entire fluid pressure.

In the illustration,

44, and'the fluid from past opening not being supplied with fluid from reservoir 45 of valve 35 permits fluid to pass entirely around wheel 14, and flap valve 46 precludes its backing up., 'Wheel 26 is not being ro i tated. s

To place 48 by any suitable means not here shown. This forces l nks 49". downwardfy, and rotates.

, valve 35 in the direction of the arrow shown:

' in Fig. 5 for approximately one-sixth of the .-1 ng 52 to the left of partition 52 (Fig, 8)

the lower end shaft 54 has anarch 5,5, which operates valve operatin means 25 when .shaft 54is .rotate'd; pring 56 keeps arch in a} follow; up osition with lever, 47, and as lever 47 is pus ed forward, valve cover 24 is opened to permit the inflow of fluid to"chamher;{2O,

where it is forced downa'nd back through .va1ve35 to operate wheel 26 in the-desired.

direction. 1

To position the transmission in reversej'154as clearl'yshpwn Figs. :1, -2 and 5 and their respective wheels to engage the fluid h within eachblock or housing conveys. excess the transmission is. shown in a-neutral position, wheel 14 is' traveling in the direction of the arrow (Flg. 6) and lugs 16' are 23. Segmental opening the transmission in a I forward position, lever 47 is pushed forward to point which may be indicated on segment lever 47 is pushed still farther forward, and valve 35 rotated to a point where segmental opening 52 is on the right of partition 52 (Fig. 8) and point 50 is at po nt 57 (Fig. 5) Fluid under the pressure of wheel 14 passesto the right'of wheel 26-ai1dout valve 53. The cams rface of cavities 32. and 20 guide lugs 34 and 16 in mid out of when most needed. Air ducts 58- opening into chamber .32 on either side of the center of wheel'26fi and at the top of the cavity, lead through a ball valve to passages 59, which in turn cmpty into cham ,er 60, formed within [housmg 31. These ducts will permit an inflowof air behind lugs 34 when necessary, but will not allow oil to escape; vA drain foraj this cavity 32 is also provided at the bottom 1n valve 35. Openings 61 positioned on-each side of the center, "and passing through to chamber 60, register with angular passage 62 provided in valve 35 for that purpose. When the valve ishn a forward position; any fluid escaping to the chamber behind lugs 34, enters passage 62 which isthen registering wlth opening 61 to the right of (v center (Fig. 8) and flows into=chamber 60. i ,The hole to :the left of center is utilized when the transmission is in a reverse posit1on., A- longitudinal conduit 63 formed fluidback to a similar chamber 64,'formed within housing 19. l

The :fluid collects in this chamber until such time as it reachesa level slightly 'above passage- 65. Float 66' which normally closes thispassage is then lifted-above 11; and permitsfluid to enter chamber 20,

where 1t is again carried back to reservoir 23. through valve 58. A ball valve keepsthe fli1ld from passing back to chamber 64.

. When lever 47 is'ateither reverse 'or 'forward, anda slight increase'of power is needed, 1t may be procured by pressing foot.

1 pedal 67. This action tends to close valve cover 24 by means of connections which-are moved as follows: arch 55, rigidly attached to shaft 54 moves rearwardly through; the arc'lof a circle having its axis at shaft 54,-

upwardly extending pin 55', engages bifurcated member 55 to form aloose j'oint, a

' shown [in F1gs.=2, 4 and 5.- The rearwardpull exerted through this loose-joint go oper-;.; ating member 25, causes the link- 5','at-' :tached to 'cover' 24,- to move in the direction of the arrow shown in. Fig. 3 which allows,-

the driving motor to develo more pres sure hrough valve 35 towhee 26. A brake.-

. leve .68,'-mayalso be providede It is referably l'omcly mounted onshaft'. 54 and j-when set i. e. pulled rearwardly against arch 55,

actuatesfbrake Od-"GQ- hich may be attached through any. s'uita'ble'an'eans to shaft q closes valve cover 24 through the same: linkage, starting with pin 55" as above set forth.

Changes in details and constriictive materails may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention, and the right to make all such formal chan es, as. may

fairly fall within the scope of-the claims, is

reserved. j -The'operat1on of the transmission has been made clear throughout the description. Claims: 1. In a transmission, adriveshaft hollow for a portion of its length,- a driven shaft hollow for a portion of its length, a wheel integral with each shafthaving a plurality of radially disposed slots and passages, said passages forming connections between the hollow of said shaft and saidslots, lugs slidabl mounted in said slots, cam guide faces 1hr engaging the outer edges of said lugs, means "erable by said drive shaft formaintaining uid under pressure within the hollow shafts and against said lugs and a said meansbein hollowfor ,aportion of its "fluid valve interconnecting sages forming connections between 'outwardl in constant alinement therewith, means n the wheels of' said driv and driven shaft. v

2. In a transmission, a drive shaft hollow for a portion of itslength having acam surface formed thereon adjacent its inner end," adriven shaft hollow for a portion of its length-in axial alinement therewith, said shafts having their ,inner ends terminating within a pump chamber, a wheel integral with each shaft having a plurality of radially disposed slots andjpas'sages, saidlpaslow of said shaft and said slots, lugs slidabl'y mounted in said slots, cam guide faces engaging the outer edges of said lugs, a valve interconnecting the wheels ofsaid drive and driven shafts, and a pump operated by the- 'c'am surface of said drive shaft whereby fluid is maintained under pressure within the hollow shafts, andsaid lugs ar e forced engagement with said cam gui e faces. v. g 3, In a transmission, ajdritve shaft hollow for a portionjof its length, a driven shaft hollow for a I portion ofQits length in axial a linement therewith, means between the in-" ner ends. of said 1 shaftsformaintaining a fluid under pressure \within" 1; saidshafts,

whereby lugs carried by said; shafts are forced 'outwardly from the center ther eof ,r

o erated-b a. cam .inte ral with said drivegha ft 4. In a transmission, a drive shaft hollow foraportion of its ength, a, driven shaft length 'i-n axial adjacent the, in

neiends of said shafts forfmaintaining' afluid under pressure within saidshafts,

wheelscarried by each of said shafts having slidably mounted fluid engaging lugs,

said lugs being held in operative, positionby said fluid under pressure, ahollow rotary the hOlr slidab 'zo I provided with a wheel adjacent its inner end aving a plurality of slidably mount-ed lugs carried thereby, common 'means for maintaini'ng fluid under pressure behind said lugs and SGlG'JtXVQ means for conveying fluid driven by the lugs of said drive shaft to said lriven shaftwheel whereby the force may impart rotary motion in either direction and means for carrying said fluid back to said reservoir. a v a I 6. In a transm1$1on, a ,drive' shaft provlded with 'a wheel ad acent1ts.-inner' end,

aplurality of slidably mounted lugs carried I by said-wheel, a housing for the wheel, a cam surface formed by the inner surface of said housing at the bottom thereof, means. for' admitting fluid to said housing,. a ,driven shaft having a wheel adjacent its inner end,.-a pluralityof slidably mounted lugs carried by. saidwheel, .a housing-for thedriven shaftwheel, cam surfaces formed by and bottom thereof, .means for ermitting the'escape of fluid from said 'houslng, a fluid pump operated by a cam pn the inner end of-' saiddrive shaft for supplying fluid under pressure 'tothe inner edges of the lugsfor maintaining the outer edges of said ly mouritedlugs in contact with the r cam surfaces of their respective housings the inner surfaces of said housing at the top i.

and means connecting said Wheels for con- 1 trolling the flow of fluidfrom one to the 7. In a transmission, a drive shaft, a wheel integral therewith rovided with a plurality ofradially' extend i inou-nted therein and normally held out for wheeha housing for saidwheels having its opposite walls provided with a chamber for ,c"atc hing escaping oil, ,aaid chambers being mterconnected by a conduit formed by said ng lugs slidably 'pumping fluid to a. similar driven shaft housing and means within'one of said cham- "hers for controlling the flow of oil back 'to, "the source of supply, substantially as 'described.- '8. Ina transmission, a drive shaft, a driven s'liaft, a cam carriedbythe inner end of vsaid drive shaft, each. of said shafts being hollow for a portion of-thei-r length and open attheir inner ends, said inner ends terminating 1n a pump and. equallzing'ch'amber, wheels iutegral with each shaft havmg shdably mounted lugs and passages joining the lug slots with the'hollow of said a'sha fh a 'hollo wl rotary valve adapted to carry-fluidforced'therem by the lugs of said drive shaft wheel to said driven shaft wheel, and .means operable by the cam of said drive shaft for maintainin fluid underpredetermined pressure behin said lugs.

9. In a -transmi ssion, a rive shaft, a driven siiaft, wheels integral'with each of said sha ts, lugs slidably mounted inslots formed in each of said wheels, a fluid valve connecting said wheels, a housing for saidwheels forming a'cavity betweensaid wheels and passages connecting the inner edges of said lug slots and said cavity, a pump adapt;

fled to supply fluid under pressure to said lug slots and said cavity-receivi and alwaiyshaving an air cushion in the up ndsaid iS equalized; 10. In a" transmission, a drive shaft, a

driven i'shaft, wheels integral. with e'aehof saidoshafts, lugs 'sli'dably mounted each of said wheels, a housing for said wheels forming a cavity'between said wheels, a fluidvalve connecting said wheels having an opening communicating with said cavlty, a

dis-

pump and valve between said cglnigtingi wake andsaid" cavity and means posing said'pinnp in the o rative position wheels.

, JAMES B; 

